AFL Power Rankings – Round Seven

With not all wins created equal the AFL ladder doesn’t always get it right. To right this wrong the Pinch Hitters attempt to provide a more accurate picture of where each team stands. With that in mind here is our take on just how well each team is going after Round Seven.

1. (1) RICHMOND ⇔

Five in a row for the Tigers after their dominant victory over the Dockers at the MCG. There have been plenty of questions about the strength of Richmond’s draw but you can only beat who is put in front of you. The surprise packet of the season so far, North Melbourne, is up next before a potential blockbuster in Perth against the Eagles.

2. (4) WEST COAST ⇑

There was no Derby letdown for the Eagles who rounded out their six-pack of victories with an impressive performance against Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium. They have the chance to prove their Premiership credentials with four of their next five against GWS, Richmond, Hawthorn and Sydney.

3. (6) GEELONG ⇑

It was an emphatic response from the Cats after their last quarter fadeout against the Swans in Round Six. They made the Giants look second-rate in a blistering return to form. Chris Scott’s men have had an inconsistent start to the season but will fancy their chances in the next five weeks to cement themselves in the Top Four.

4. (2) ADELAIDE ⇓

The Crows didn’t do an awful lot wrong against the Blues at home but slip down our rankings on the strength of their opponents. This will worry them little though with Port Adelaide up next in the Showdown. Strong favourites against their cross-town rivals they will fancy their chances to extend their winning streak to five before they travel to the Northern Territory to face the resurgent Demons.

5. (2) SYDNEY ⇓

Another shock loss at home for the Swans blots an otherwise strong start to the season. A possibly defining game lies ahead this week against the Hawks before a string of winnable games gives them a chance to make a run at a top-fourth place before the bye.

6. (12) NORTH MELBOURNE ⇑

The doubters are disappearing by the week as the Kangaroos continue their strong start to the 2018 season. Beating Sydney at the SCG will mean that they are full of confidence leading their next big test against Richmond this weekend.

7. (7) HAWTHORN ⇔

The Hawks got the job done against the Bombers on the weekend and have quitely moved into the top four as a result. How far have they come after their disappointing 2017 season? We will have a much better idea after their mouth watering clash with the Swans this weekend.

8. (5) COLLINGWOOD ⇓

The Pies avoided a potential banana skin with their narrow victory over the Lions at the Gabba. After three games in 11 days, the trip to the Gabba was a danger game but Collingwood did enough to get over the plucky Lions and find themselves in the log-jam of teams between 6th and 12th as a result. A big test lies ahead against the Cats this weekend before a stretch of games they will enter full of confidence.

9. (8) GWS ⇓

After a positive start to the season, the Giants season sits at the cross-roads after a series of sub-par performances. They have not been their best for a number of weeks now and looked anything but a premiership contender against the Cats. They have a few tricky appointments over the next few weeks and if they can’t quickly rediscover their mojo they might find themselves a long way behind the leading teams.

10. (9) PORT ADELAIDE ⇓

After a bright start the Power have lost three of their last four to lose their place in the eight. It doesn’t get any easier for them either with their Showdown with the Crows this weekend before clashes with Hawthorn and Richmond over the next four weeks.

11. (11) MELBOURNE ⇔

Back to back wins has the Dees back in the logjam for places in the eight. With matches against Gold Coast and Carlton to come they should be full of confidence before they host the Crows in the Northern Territory.

12. (10) FREMANTLE ⇓

The Dockers aren’t the first and won’t be the last team to come up short against the Premiers but they have a chance to recover against the Saints this round. With matches against Sydney and North to follow, they can’t afford a slip up or they may lose touch with the top eight.

13. (14) WESTERN BULLDOGS ⇑

The Bulldogs saw off a spirited Suns side in Ballarat and, in hosting the Lions this round, they have a chance to extend their streak to three matches. Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne follow and after that stretch we should have a true idea of where the ‘sons of the west’ truly sit in 2018.

15. (14) ST KILDA ⇔

The Saints goal-kicking woes continued against the Demons at Etihad Stadium. With just one win from seven rounds, hopes of returning to the finals have all but vanished already. A second win appears a tough ask too, with two trips to Perth and clashes with Richmond, West Coast and Sydney ahead in the next five weeks.

16. (16) GOLD COAST ⇔

The Suns magical tour of Australia came to an end with their loss against the Bulldogs in Ballarat. They have four of the next five on the Gold Coast interrupted by their second clash with Port in China.

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Boz and Pav, both sporting tragics, are committed to bringing you their own special take on the happening in the sporting world.
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